The Valley

This week we have had a conference going on at our church with different pastors coming in to preach. Last night we didn't make it...I had a terrible headache and just came home and got in the bed. I wasn't sure if I would make it tonight either...I had my kids sewing class until 6:30 and then I would have to high-tail it across town to try to be there by 7:00. I had another headache and didn't really have time to eat supper, but I decided to try to go. Boy, am I so glad that I did!

Dr. Roc Collins was PREACHIN' THE WORD! I mean he was bringin' it. Just incredible. I loved his passion, enthusiasm and excitement for sharing the gospel. He challenged us to proclaim the simple message of the gospel...Jesus Saves! We all have a testimony of how God has worked in our lives and how He has saved us. We should be telling everyone that we come into contact with about His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. If they're breathing - tell them about Jesus! Good stuff people! Good stuff!

But then, Rev. Junior Hill got up to preach and I knew why the Lord had brought me there tonight. He just blessed my heart so much and the Lord spoke right to me through him. He had us open our Bibles to Psalm 84. Now having just finished the Stepping Up Bible study I knew exactly where this was and what it was about. God is so good!

He began by reminding us that we are all pilgrims, we are just passing through. Praise God for that! Verse 6 says "Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; the early rain also covers it with blessings." Baca means tears or weeping, deep sorrow. Have you been there? Have you been through the valley of tears?

I have been, and am in that valley now. You know, on this pilgrimage we will all have troubles. That is one sure thing. But he gave us several things to think about while we are on this journey.

The first is, trouble is always tempered by time. Praise the Lord, we are not stuck! The Bible promises that weeping may last for a night, but JOY comes in the morning. I won't be in this valley forever. God is working and moving according to His timetable, not mine. That is hard to grasp, but also comforting to know that He is in control and His ways are best.

Secondly, the process must never be mistaken for the purpose. We have a hard time with the process because we can't see what God is doing in the here and now. We know what He's done in the past, we know what He will do in the future, but right here right now, we don't know...the process is unseen. We just have to walk by faith. The process is also unhurried. Oh boy, this one is hard to swallow. How I want so badly to hurry this season of waiting. We have been married 7 years, we have been trying to conceive for over 2 years...I want to hurry this thing up! Come on now! But, I can't hurry God no matter how I try. The process is also, in my sinful nature, unenjoyable. I don't enjoy the fact that we are the only people in our SS class without kids. I don't enjoy the fact that my parents don't have any of my babies to love on. I don't enjoy the fact that my heart aches and my arms long to be filled with a child of my own. But God's word says that even through these trials, I am to count them ALL joy. Oh God, I can't do it apart from a filling of Your Spirit!

I know that one of God's purposes for me is to become more like Him and to rely on Him for everything. This process has taught me more about my Jesus and drawn me to His feet, and for that I am thankful. I need Him. I am desperate for Him. I can do nothing apart from Him. Thank you Lord for teaching me these things...may I never stop learning.

Finally, in every tribulation, there ought to be a triumphant confidence that God will carry it to good. God wants the very best for us, His beloved children. He wants us to trust Him with everything, and in everything. Don't lose hope!

I know that there are many out there who are suffering through far greater things...loss of a child, death or illness of a loved one, devastation from a natural disaster, etc. I am praying that as you walk through these valleys that you will walk hand in hand with Jesus. He will carry you, and me, through. He is faithful!

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you WILL perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:6